Discharging magazine and holder



June 20, 1950 F. c. WORTH DISCHARGING MAGAZINE AND HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Dec. 5, 1947 Fig. 5.

Fig.4.

Fig.

IN V EN TOR.

Q .l I 5 Attorneys m w w .S M m y F B June 20, 1950 c, WQRTH 2,512,218

DISCHARGING MAGAZINE AND HOLDER Filed Dec. 5, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 be H2 9 /4 a- V /2 $4 26 5a 86 Francis 6. Wort/1 1 INVENTOR.

Patented June 20, 1950- UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE v 'DISCHARGINGMAGAZINE ANDHOLDER Francis 0. Worth, Brooklyn, N. Y. 1ApplicationDecember 5, 1947, Serial No. 789,782 a 1 This inventionrelates to novel and useful improvements in a device for retaining anddispensing a plurality of articles. I

An object of this invention is to retain a plurality of articles,preferably flat, and dispense a selected number of these retainedarticles.

Another purpose of this invention is to retain the articles by exertinga pressure along the edges thereof and relieve this pressure for aduration thereby permitting at least one article to drop from the stack.

Another purpose of this invention is to simultaneously move a pair ofplates which are positioned beneath the articles in order to permit thelowermost article or articles to be dispensed and" to relieve thepressure exerted on the'edges of the articles.

Another purpose of this invention is to resiliently bias a panel againstthe edges of the articles to be dispensed and to adjustably support the10 Claims. (Cl. 312-70) said panel so that it may be selectively raisedand lowered in order to titles of articles.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide an improved andsimplified device which chicaciously dispenses either a single sheet ora plurality of sheets of a preferably fiat material.

Other objects and features of novelty will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art, in following the description of the preferred formof the invention, illustrated drawings, wherein; I v v I Figure 1 is aplan view of, the preferred form of the invention; 7 v Q" Figure 2 is asectional view of theinvention shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional @detail constructi'on illustrating theadjustable supporting means for the panel; I v

Figure 4 is an end view of thedevice shown inFigurel; v I

Figure 5 is anend view ofthe device shown in Figure 1, illustrating theend opposite that illustratedinFigurei; l In I H Figure 6 is a bottomplan viewofthe device illustrated in Figure 1; r I

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line1-1 of Figure fiand'in the direction of the arrows; I

Figure 8 is a sectionalview illustrating certain details ofconstruction," and;

Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken dispense selected quaninthe accompanyin to the said header 28. The means for supportingsubstantially on the line 9-9 of Figure 2 and in the direction of thearrows.

Serious difficulty was encountered in dispensing a plurality of sheetarticles or units such as cards, paper/flat cartons or slabs of anymaterial suitable for handling in the manner to be described.

Illustrated and described herewith is a means for handling (retainingand discharging) either a single sheet or a plurality of sheets ofmaterial in accordance with minor adjustments made to a relativelysimple apparatus.

, The general mode of operation of the invention is to retain a stack ofsheets of any suitable .the articleretaining means, whereby the articlesmay be released at a selected portion of the cycle of operation of theplates. Then, the retaining means is again returned to the articleengaging position leaving either a single or a few sheets free of theclamping action of the article engaging means. It is these free articleswhich are dispensed.

A support generally indicated at In is provided .of any suitablematerial and is utilized as a recipient for various operative elementsof the invention. This support is composed of a base includ ing a pairofsubstantially parallel rails l2 and M respectively and a-pair of crossmembers l6 and l8. A relatively stationary wall 20 is attached tothesaidcro-ssmember l6 for cooperation with j-another wall in retainingthe articles to be dis-- jpensed therebetween.

A framegenerally indicated at 22 is supplied forthe cooperation betweenthe wall 20 and the said frame comprises a pair of legs 24 and 26respectively which are attached to the said cross member Is by anysuitable, conventional means. A header 28 connects the said legs 24 and26 and has an aperture therein.

A panel 3!! having an arcuate bottom edge 32 issupplied in the saidframe 22 and is supported the said panel may be seen particularly wellin Figure 3 wherein there is disclosed a threaded shaft 34. anchored atone end to the. said panel 30 and extending through the aperture in thesaid header 28". A conventional nut 36 is supplied on the end of thesaid shaft 34 which when selectively tightened and loosened forms meansfor regulating the height of the panel relative to the base l0.

Means for resiliently biasing the said panel 30 in a selected directionis provided. This means may be seen particularly well in Figure 1wherein there is disclosed a conventional leaf spring 38 j anchored tothe said panel 30 andhavingthe ends thereof engaging the arms 24 and 26respectively. It is readily apparent that by this construction the saidpanel 30 is constantly urged in a single direction, and a spring 33 isseated on the panel 30 for biasing the header and panel relative :toeach other. I

A pair of lates are provided beneath the said cross members l6 and I8and are pivoted thereto. These plates :2 and 4 respectively are pivotedat their opposite ends, the plate l2 being pivoted by means of theConventional pivot pin 46 while the plate 44 is pivoted by means of thepivot pin 48.

Reference now to Figure 2 discloses that the said plates 72 and 34 forma seat for the stack of articles maintained between the wall 29 andpanel 30.

Manually operable means is provided for moving said plates 52 and 44away from each other. This means may be noted as the simplified linkageillustrated in Figure 6 and consisting of the following structure: A bar50 is provided beneath the said base Hi and a link 52 is pivotedthereto.

This link is also pivoted by means of the pin 54 to the said crossmember I6. The terminal portion of the said link 52 is then pivotallyassociated with the said plate 44 through the medium of anotherconventional pin 56.

Another link 58 is supplied at the terminal portion of the actuator rod56 by means of a pivotal connection at 60. This link 58 is pivoted tothe plate e2 by means of a pivot pin 62 while the end of the said link58 is pivotally anchored at 66 to the said cross member I8. Followingthe arrows indicating direction of travel in Figure 6, it will beappreciated that upon movement of the actuator rod 58 in a singledirection the plate 42 will be urged pivotally in the same directionwhile the plate 44 will be urged pivot-ally in a direction opposite fromthat oiplate 42. It may now be seen that if any articles are freelysupported on the said plates Q2 and A4 respectivelyactuation or" theactuator bar 58 in the direction indicated by the arrows will ermit thefree articles resting thereon to be dropped or dispensed.

Means for interconnecting the travel of the said plates 42 and c4 andthe travel of the panel 30 is provided. This means is preferably aplurality of links and consists of a pitman 80 con nected with the lever58 and a second lever 82. This second lever is pivotally associated withthe bottom of the said cross member I8 and has a set screw 84operatively engageable therewith.

The set screw 84 is threadedly received in a bracket 86 which is in turnrigidly secured to the said panel 39. It may now be seen that uponactuation of the links 52 and 58, the plates 42 and 44 respectively willbe urged in selected directions and the panel 30 will also be urgedagainst the stack of articles by the force of the spring 38. Thisoperation releases the articles maintained on the plates free of thepanel 30 and wall 20 yet retains the remainder of the articles betweenthe panel and wall. Upon actuation of the rod 50 in the oppositedirection the panel 30 is moved from the articles to allow a selectednumber to fall on the plates 42 and M respectively in accordance withthe adjusted position of the panel 36.

The number of articles to be dispensed is obviously determined by thedistance of the panel 30 from the plane of the two plates 42 and 44respectively.

In order that the plates 42 and 44 respectively 2 will be free in theirtravel and not be impeded by engagement with the pivot pins 1 and thepivotal connection between the link 82 and the cros's'member i8, notchesor cutouts 80 are supplied in the said plates to provide clearance.Other obvious and simplified mechanical expedience may obviously beresorted to in connection with the above described structure, withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

Accordingly, limitation is sought only in accordance with the scope ofthe following claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A device for retaining and dispensin relatively flat articlescomprising a support including a base and a pair of spaced substantiallyparallel walls for supporting a stack of articles, means attached to oneof said walls and said base for dispensing the bottom article of a stackretained between said walls including a first and second plate pivotedto said base beneath said walls, means for moving said plates as fromeach other and one of said walls toward other wall to permit the bottomarticle to drop from between the walls and to retain the remainder ofthe articles fixed between said walls.

2. A device for retaining and dispensing relatively flat articlescomprising a support including a base and a pair of spaced substantiallyparallel walls for supporting the upper members of a stack of articles,means mounted beneath said walls for supporting and dispensing thebottom article of a stack retained between said walls, said supportingand dispensing means including a first and second plate pivoted to saidbase beneath said walls, means for moving said plates pivotally and awayfrom each other to permit the bottom article to drop from said plates, afirst of said walls being rigidly secured to said base, the second wallincluding a frame secured to said base, a panel positioned in saidframe, adjustable means connecting said plate moving means and saidpanel for moving said panel toward said first wall when said plates aremoved to drop the article disposed thereon.

3. A device for retaining and dispensing relatively fiat articlescomprising a support including a base and a pair of spaced substantiallyparallel walls for supporting the upper members of a stack of articlesand means for dispensing the bottom article of a stack retained betweensaid walls, said dispensing means including a first andsecond platepivoted to said base beneath said walls, means for moving said platesaway from each other to permit the bottom article to drop from betweenthe walls, a first of said walls being rigidly secured to said base, thesecond wall including a frame secured to said base, a panel positionedin said frame, adjustable means for connecting said first plate and saidpanel to impart movement of said first plate to said panel, 'means forselectively and adjustably raising and lowering said panel relative tosaid first plate so that one or more articles will be out of the path ofmovement of said panel thereby allowing them to be dispensed upon apredetermined movement of said plates.

4. A device for retaining and dispensing relatively fiat articlescomprising a-support including a base and a pair of spaced substantiallyparallel walls for supporting the upper members of a stack of articlesand means for dispensing the bottom article of a stack retained betweensaid walls, said dispensing means including a iirst and second platepivoted to said base beneath said walls, means for moving said platesaway from each other to permit the bottom article to drop from betweenthe walls, a first of said walls being rigidly secured to said base, thesecond wall including a frame secured to said base, a panel positionedin said frame, adjustable means connecting said first plate and saidpanel to impart movement of said first plate to said panel, means forselectively and adjustably raising and lowering said panel relative tosaid first plate so that one or more articles will be out of the path ofmovement of said panel thereby allowing them to be dispensed uponpredetermined movement of said plates and means secured to said framefor resiliently biasing said panel against theupper members of the stackof articles when said plates are moved away from each other.

5. In an article retaining and dispensing device, a support including abase, a wall secured to said base, and a frame secured to said basespaced from said wall, means associated with said support formaintaining a plurality of articles and dispensing a selected numberthereof, said means including a panel with means yieldingly pressingsaid panel against some of the articles to hold said some Of thearticles while at least one of the other articles is being discharged,means for supporting said panel within said frame for verticaladjustment, said panel cooperating with said wall to retain the uppermembers of a stack of articles, plates pivoted. to said base forsupporting at least the bottom member of the stack of articles, meansfor moving said plates toward each other and for moving said panel awayfrom said wall to allow the stack of articles to drop on said plates.

6. In an article retaining and dispensing device, a support including abase, a wall secured to said base, and a frame secured to said basespaced from said wall, means associated with said support formaintaining a plurality of articles and dispensing a selected numberthereof, said means including a panel with means yieldingly pressingsaid panel against some of the articles to hold said some of thearticles while at least one other of the articles is being discharged,means for supporting said panel within said frame for verticaladjustment, said panel cooperating with said wall to retain the uppermembers of a stack of articles, plates pivoted to said base forsupporting at least the bottom member of the stack of articles, meansfor moving said plates toward each other and for moving said panel awayfrom said wall to allow the stack ofarticles to drop on said plates, andmeans associated with said last mentioned means for controllablyregulating the travel of said panel relative to the movement of framemembers carried by said support and disposed adjacent said movable wall,a spring engaging at least one of said members and said movable wailconstantly urging said movable wall toward said base, and meansoperatively connected with said movable wall for retaining said movablewall slightly spaced from the stack of articles, a pair of platespivotally mounted on said support and disposed beneath and between saidwalls to support a stack of articles, means including an actuatorattached to said plates for pivotally moving said plates away from eachother and for simultaneously releasing said retaining means so that themovable wall engages at least some of the articles of the stack ofarticles,

means operatively engaging said movable wall for raising and loweringsaid movable wall adjustably to locate the movable wall predetermineddistances above the adjacent one of said plates whereby at least thebottom article of a stack is free of clamping engagement with saidmovable wall.

8. An article dispenser comprising a support having a stationary wall, asubstantially parallel movable wall, frame members carried by saidsupport disposed adjacent said movable wall, a spring engaging at leastone of said members and said movable wall constantly urging said movablewall toward said base, a pair of plates pivotally mounted on saidsupport and disposed beneath and between'said walls to support a stackof articles, an actuator attached to said plates for pivotally movingsaid plates, means opera-- tively engaging said movable Wall for raisingand lowering said movable wall adjustably to locate the movable wallpredetermined distances above the adjacent of said plates whereby atleastthe bottom article of a stack is free of clamping engagement withsaid movable wall, means operatively associated with said movable walland said actuator for moving said movable Wall toward said stationarywall in response to and while said plates are actuated to release atleast one article from a stack.

9. The combination of claim 8 and said last mentioned means including aspring reacting on said movable wall and at least one of said framemembers, a bracket secured to said movable wall and a threaded membercarried by said bracket and reacting on said actuator.

10. The combination of claim 6 and said last mentioned means including abracket secured to said panel, a threaded member mounted on said bracketfor axial adjustment and being operatively engaged and motivated by saidplate movingmeans.

FRANCIS C. WORTH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 924,351 Hitchcock June 8, 19091,249,141 Litchfield Dec. 4, 1917 1,270,194 Nybak June 18, 19181,830,805 Myer Nov. 10, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 279,555Germany of 1 913

